Oakland Raiders preview: Any signs of optimism?

There was some discontent from the Raiders owner last season about his team's regression in November and his desire was to see progress.

General manager Reggie McKenzie jettisoned so many high-paid players the Raiders are operating with nearly $50 million in "dead" money under the salary cap and he remade the defense with bargain-priced, under-the-radar players who were looking for a chance.

McKenzie and coach Dennis Allen also retooled the offensive scheme. During training camp, however, the Raiders had as many as 20 players out with injuries, the team has been slow to jell and most prognosticators are seeing something like last year's 4-12 season -- or worse.

Davis is fond of saying "I know what I don't know" but he's growing tired of seeing a storied franchise be identified with bad football.

If the Raiders are also-rans again, will Davis be patient enough to keep McKenzie and/or Allen around to reap the benefits of next year's salary cap space of up to $50 million?

BIG DATE

Sept. 15 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

With playoff teams Indianapolis and Denver coming on the road in Weeks 1 and 3, the Raiders are looking at 0-3 if they can't beat one of the supposed easy marks on their schedule in their home opener.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS

Terrelle Pryor, QB

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Pryor's running ability can break open a game and put stress on even the best defense. An improving but still erratic passer, he can also be a difference-maker in a negative way.

Charles Woodson, strong safety

Woodson's play in the preaseason was minimal, but he believes, as do his coaches and teammates, that he still has his Hall of Fame ball skills (and ball-stripping skills) at age 36.

Denarius Moore, WR

The Raiders would like to see more consistency from Moore. But fact is, he remains the wide receiver most likely to come up with a big play (84 receptions for 1,359 yards and 12 touchdowns in 28 games and 25 starts).

Darren McFadden, RB

Getting McFadden back on track is the mission of new offensive coordinator Greg Olson, and with good reason. Since McFadden arrived in 2008, the Raiders are 10-2 when he rushes for 100 or more yards and 20-48 when he doesn't or is out with injury.

Sio Moore, LB

A third-round draft pick out of Connecticut, the Raiders instantly made Moore a starter at strongside linebacker. Defensive coordinator Jason Tarver likes his "position flexibility," meaning he can rush the passer, play the run and play in coverage.

THE PLAYOFFS ARE POSSIBLE IF...

The philosophy of bringing in players with a "worker bee'' mentality takes hold and the Raiders amount to more than the sum of their parts.

McFadden stays healthy for 16 games and rushes for 1,400-plus yards, catches 50 -- plus passes and averages a touchdown per game.

The law of averages. The Raiders couldn't possibly have an 11th consecutive non-winning season.

THE PLAYOFFS ARE IMPOSSIBLE IF...

The inability to create turnovers and the propensity of the offense to give it away results in another season with a negative turnover ratio.

With Jared Veldheer out for a minimum of seven games, the Raiders' offensive line can't protect the quarterback or run-block at a playoff level.

Simple economics does the Raiders in. Having more than a third of their spending money unavailable under the cap has made it impossible to field a winning team.